Wellesley Square’s Central Plaza celebrates its shininess

I’m no longer a ribbon cutting virgin, having swung by Central Plaza Thursday afternoon to listen to those involved with refurbishing the shopping center thank each other and snip a red ribbon behind Wellesley Square shops such as MiniLuxe, Gretta Luxe, Wellesley Theatre Project, Gustare Oils & Vinegars, Boloco and Wellesley Books. Turns out cutting a ribbon is more challenging than you think, especially when you have more than one person’s hands on the scissors.

The space does look much better, with a red brick plaza area, wooden fences covering up dumpsters and other unattractive things, new stairs, and new space for Boloco and Wellesley Theatre Project. The parking lot has been repaved and repainted, too.

Assorted current and former selectmen (current member Terri Tsagaris, shown here), planning board and other town officials were on hand, as were reps from the Wellesley Chamber of Commerce, property owner Linear Retail and Wellesley Community Art Project (which fortunately hasn’t had as many vacant storefronts to fill with artworks of late!).

These parties, and tenants, have joined forces over the past year or so through the Wellesley Square Initiative in an effort to spruce up the downtown shopping district.